Миний нэр бол (4)

Dudududududu!

The entire space trembles.

I realize that the curse of the vine I am holding is connected to the formation spread throughout the space.

As the curse is reversed, the formation that had been perfectly aligned with the curse begins to be thoroughly shaken.

Fwoooosh!

The withered, twisted vines writhe wildly, and new shoots begin to sprout from various thorns.

After a while, dazzling white flowers blossom from within the buds.

And then, suddenly,Booooom!

A brilliant burst of light sweeps in all directions, scattering white petals everywhere, and the thorny vines disappear without a trace.

Along with them, the formation that had been established in space appears to gradually dismantle, and before we know it, we are inside a small pupil about 3 zhang in diameter.

In front of us, Baek Jin is kneeling and staggering.

"Khek! Khugh, damn it... An Extreme Righteous (極正) method with the attribute of suppressing devils (降魔)...!? You, how do you have such a method while also practicing devilish arts!? No, even if you had learned a devil-suppressing technique, without understanding the curse, you should never have broken it...?"

It seems that he is directly connected to the formation.

Baek Jin staggers while spewing out white energy from his mouth.

I grin and say,

"If you attain Extreme Devilry (極魔), you might also see the path to liberation from it."

"Heh, hehehe...So that was not an Extreme Righteousness method? Well...I understand. Just remember one thing."

He glares at me, his eyes blazing with fury.

"In the Black Ghost Valley, those who practice devilish arts are the vast majority, so using such demon-suppressing techniques is forbidden. This was your first time, and since you weren't warned...I'll let it pass...but be careful."

"Understood. So, are we disqualified because I used that method just now?"

"Hehehe, of course not. You all...have passed with the highest scores..."

Busususus!

"...!"

I'm startled.

Baek Jin's body begins to crumble into white powder.

Gradually, his voice turns into a spiritual echo and resonates through the space.

[Since you have succeeded in killing the examiner...you are all now Yin Soul disciples. Since the death happened so senselessly...the next procedures will be guided by...this guy...]

Crack!

With those words, Baek Jin flicks his sleeve, summons a ghost, and then crumbles to death.

I stand there dumbfounded, confused.

'He's dead?'

He was so calm I thought he was just tired and going to sleep.

However, unlike my confusion, the other cultivators look at me with eyes of admiration.

"It's remarkable, fellow cultivator. To kill an examiner..."

"The examiners of Black Ghost Valley are all famously stronger than those of the same realm, and to kill an examiner who had reached the threshold of the Heavenly Being stage in one go..."

"I was rude earlier. I apologize."

Surrounded by these completely different tones, I feel bewildered.

Just then.

[All five of you, please follow me. I will distribute the Yin Soul disciple plaques.]

The ghost that came from Baek Jin's sleeve speaks to us, emitting a dark ghostly energy.

"...Let's all receive our identity plaques for now."

I follow the ghost, hiding my confusion.

The ghost leads us back the way we had come.

'Are we going back to the entrance...?'

I cautiously ask the ghost while following.

"By any chance, am I going to be punished for killing a law enforcer of Black Ghost Valley?"

[No. Sir Baek Jin simply died because his training was insufficient. You need not worry.]

"Isn't that a loss of strength for the sect?"

[Ah right...Sir Seo Li, you did say you ascended. You must be unaware about the situation in Black Ghost Valley.]

The expressions of the other four turn into shock.

"He's an ascender?"

"How could a body at the Nascent Soul stage withstand the spatial pressure..."

"I heard that there are terrifying monsters in the Interdimensional Void...?"

"Yes, you are truly remarkable. How did you ascend? May I ask about your experience at the time of ascension?"

In the sects I had joined so far, there was not much direct interaction with disciples native from the Bright Cold Realm, and since the sect itself was a group that had ascended collectively, there was little concern for individual ascenders.

However, it appears that individual ascendors are highly valued in the Bright Cold Realm.

Especially in cases like Yuan Yu, who ascended while still in the Nascent Soul stage.

Wondering what to tell them, I decided to keep it brief due to the length of the explanation.

"We shall discuss it later."

After saying so, I wait for the ghost's response.

Why are they so nonchalant about me killing Baek Jin?

Then, I can only be astonished by the ghost's next words.

"Starting from Ghost Soul disciples, we offer two resurrection opportunities within Black Ghost Valley itself. Using the Nether Crossing Ship or Black Ghost Valley's special grand formation, resurrection isn't difficult. Of course, the higher the cultivation, the more resources resurrection consumes, so for Black Grand Elders and above, one must handle their own resurrection..."

"...!!!"

'They provide resurrection opportunities?'

The ghost speaks as if it's nothing serious, leaving me dumbfounded.

'Moreover, if the Nether Crossing Ship has the ability to resurrect...'

Only now do I understand why the Mad Lord was so obsessed with stealing the power source of the Nether Crossing Ship.

A Nether Crossing Ship with a power source is, in itself, a divine artifact with resurrection capabilities.

'But, seeing [Her] state, there seems to be a limit.'

As I'm startled, the bald tattooed man smiles amicably and says,

"Did you not know, fellow cultivator? It makes sense not to know if you ascended. Apart from Black Ghost Valley, all the major Human Race Great Sects are backed by Grand Cultivators at the Integration stage or by the Dragon King themself. One of the reasons Black Ghost Valley is part of the major sects without having an Integration stage Grand Cultivator is its undying aspect."

"Undying... Don't most who practice devilish arts possess that?"

"It doesn't just mean strong regenerative abilities. The devilish cultivators of Black Ghost Valley are famous for their incredibly tough lifelines. In Black Ghost Valley, Minor Boundary cultivators are offered one resurrection through the Valley's grand formation and one through the Nether Crossing Ship. After that, if you learn a few special methods of the Valley, you can be resurrected in the form of a corpse, and if you die in that form, you can be resurrected again using a method that allows you to take over someone else's body. When you can no longer be resurrected, you can be sealed inside the shrine within the Nether Crossing Ship in the form of a Ghost King, continuing your life in this world. In the form of a Ghost King, it's even harder to be killed, and even if you do manage to be killed, there's a technique that allows you to remain in this world in the form of a lingering soul (盞魂), making it even harder to truly die."

"..."

I'm astounded by his explanation.

'This puts Yuan Li to shame.'

The bald tattooed man is clearly someone trying to enter the Black Ghost Valley from the outside.

In short, the number of resurrections known by outsiders are comparable to Yuan Li. This means that the Elders and Grand Elders likely have even more than seven lives, perhaps even up to fourteen resurrections.

And while I am thinking this, I discover one terrifying truth.

'Then, the talk about the Mad Lord destroying a third of the Black Ghost Valley...'

That means he had exhausted all those insane amounts of resurrections and ultimately smashed the Nether Crossing Ships.

'This is utter madness...'

Shivering, I recall Song Jin, who remained in the form of a lingering soul, and I can't even begin to estimate how many times he had been killed by the Mad Lord.

[Yes. Our Black Ghost Valley is known to have a history older than the Bright Cold Realm. Considering the Bright Cold Realm's history is just shy of 490,000 years, the power and history we've accumulated over such a long time is truly something great.]

"...It seems so."

I follow the ghost to the entrance of the valley, where I engrave my name on a dark blue jade plaque distributed by the ghost.

Holding the dark blue jade plaque inscribed with 'Seo Li,' I feel a mix of emotions.

[Then, please follow me. I will assign each of you a cave residence, and introduce you to the sect.]

The ghost leads us deeper into Black Ghost Valley.

As we move closer to the center of Black Ghost Valley, the ghostly energy becomes denser, and the form of the ghost guiding us becomes clearer.

He's a little boy wearing a dark robe.

Feeling our gaze, he speaks.

[Oh, I haven't introduced myself. I am Eub Yeon. In my lifetime, I was one of the Qi Refining initiates of Black Ghost Valley. However, a hundred years ago, I lost my life due to an attack by the Yin Soul Ghost Sect, and my master, Baek Jin, took me in. Now, I serve as a guide in the form of a ghost soul here at the entrance.]

"...I see. Doesn't being dead...bother you?"

[Death was painful and terrifying when I died, but I have grown quite accustomed to it now. My master also treats me well, so there are no issues.]

I feel strange about the Black Ghost Valley's unusual attitude towards 'death.'

'How peculiar. They do not fear death, but rather become familiar with it...'

I follow Eub Yeon to a cliff deep in the valley.

"This is..."

[The pride of Black Ghost Valley, the location where the divine artifacts, the Nether Crossing Ships are anchored!]

Looking below the cliff, there is a massive source of ghostly energy.

Two Nether Crossing Ships are emitting tremendous ghostly energy, floating on pitch black water.

Upon closer inspection, the black water is not real water but a congregation of a vast number of lingering souls.

I frown at the sight of this congregation.

Unlike Eub Yeon's peaceful state, these are tormented lingering souls.

As I grimace, Eub Yeon points downwards.

[Down there are the cave residences. Please follow.]

We follow Eub Yeon down and are assigned cave residences carved into the cliff.

"Hehe, the ghostly energy is sinister, the best environment for practicing devilish arts."

"Truly, this is the Great Black Ghost Valley!"

"Hehehe..."

The corpse-like man and the bald tattooed man admire their cave residences, while the woman in mourning dress begins to laugh ominously as if her madness is returning.

Heo Nam-kwon also seems to be pleased, absorbing the surrounding ghostly energy and starting to hum a tune.

[Sir Seo's cave residence is here.]

I, too, am assigned a cave residence close to the Nether Crossing Ship, where the ghostly energy is dense.

[Please follow me. Now that you have been assigned a cave residence, we should first go and greet the seniors of the sect.]

We followed Eub Yeon into the Nether Crossing Ship.

Entering the familiar interior, I am reminded of the past.

Kugugugu!

The Nether Crossing Ship seems alive, with ghostly energy flowing throughout.

'It's almost like a dragon vein itself.'

An intact Nether Crossing Ship appears no different from a moving Ascension Path.

After following Eub Yeon for a while, we enter a deep shrine within the Nether Crossing Ship.

[Disciple Eub Yeon greets the elders.]

Kiiyaaaaaaa―

Simultaneously, an incomprehensible ghostly wail blasts from deep within the shrine.

Overwhelmed by the immense ghostly shrieking and energy, the corpse-like man is completely frozen, the bald, tattooed man adjusts his posture with proper decorum, and the woman in mourning clothes, seemingly cured of her madness, shrinks back in shock.

Heo Nam-kwon hides behind me, shivering.

Yet, I just stand there smiling wryly.

'Everyone is getting excited, what a debacle this is.'

The intent flowing from deep within the shrine is filled with joy at welcoming new disciples.

Sure enough, Eub Yeon explains that the elders inside the shrine, the Ghost Kings of the Black Ghost Valley, are welcoming us.

We stand in front of the shrine where the ghostly wail resounds, bow according to Eub Yeon's guidance, and quickly complete the entrance ceremony of Black Ghost Valley.

[The entrance ceremony is now concluded. You are now honorable Yin Soul disciples of the Black Ghost Valley.]

Eub Yeon claps his hands and congratulates us. The bald tattooed man wipes the cold sweat from his head and replies.

"Is that so? Thank you."

It seems he wants to leave the inner shrine as soon as possible.

However, contrary to his expectation, Eub Yeon smiles and appears about to say something else.

That is when–

"Has the entrance ceremony concluded?"

Wo-woong!

As the space splits, Heo Gwak, the White Bone Ghost Devil, enters the shrine.

With an ambiguous appearance that makes it unclear whether he is male or female, he smiles faintly as he surveys us, then slightly squints his eyes when he sees Heo Nam-kwon.

Then, when his gaze reaches me, it immediately brightens.

"Well, it seems you all have entered properly. You know about me, right? I am the Highest Grand Elder of the Bright Cold Realm's Black Ghost Valley branch, Black Grand Elder White Bone Ghost Devil, Heo Gwak."

We bow, showing respect and proper etiquette.

"Normally, it's customary to assign a master to disciples below Ghost Soul, but for Nascent Soul stage Yin Soul disciples, we use a slightly different approach. You will now choose the Ghost King you will serve and pay homage to from this point forward."

"Pardon...?"

Already pale from the ghostly energy of the Ghost Kings, the bald tattooed man turns even whiter as he asks again.

Heo Gwak grins and continues.

"Traditionally in Black Ghost Valley, each person chooses a companion, known as a ghost path companion. Unlike typical dao companions, the purpose here is not Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation but to practice Ghost Path methods. Therefore, regardless of gender, everyone carries at least one ghost soul with them.  However, you, having just entered as Nascent Soul stage Yin Soul disciples, are not suitable for ordinary ghost souls as your souls won't properly adapt to the Ghost Path."

The bald tattooed man looks like he might faint at Heo Gwak's explanation.

"Thus, until you choose a ghost path companion, you will house one of the Ghost Kings within your Nascent Soul to help your soul get accustomed to the ghostly energy."

The bald tattooed man's appearance looks like one half of his soul flew away.

However, the corpse-like man and the woman in mourning clothes seem rather pleased with this, while Heo Nam-kwon looks slightly annoyed.

"Uh, elder. Do I also have to...?"

Interrupting Heo Nam-kwon, Heo Gwak waves his hand dismissively.

"It's procedure. You're no exception."

"Yes..."

"Then, everyone, walk towards the spirit tablets in the shrine."

We all walk towards the endlessly lined spirit tablets.

That's when it happens..

Paaaatt!

The scene suddenly changes.

I find myself separated from the group, surrounded by a countless number of graveyards under a pitch-black night sky.

Each grave is neatly marked with a tombstone.

Soon after, under the dark sky.

Heo Gwak's voice echoes from the void.

[The place you have entered is Black Ghost Valley's Grand Tomb Domain, accessible only through the Nether Crossing Ship's inner shrine or by special means. The souls of countless ancestors have become Ghost Kings and reside there. Wander around, and if a Ghost King takes a liking to you, entrust your body to them. The type of Ghost Path Method you learn will depend on the Ghost King who chooses you, so be sure to present yourselves well.]

With that, Heo Gwak's voice cuts off, and I wait momentarily before looking around.

"Hmm..."

However much I look around, I see no signs of Ghost Kings.

"Is anyone there?"

I wander through the Grand Tomb Domain, searching among the tombstones.

But I see neither Ghost Kings nor even a mere minor ghost.

"...Where are the Ghost Kings supposed to be?"

In a different space within the Black Ghost Valley's Grand Tomb Domain.

Heo Nam-kwon, the bald tattooed man, the corpse-like man, and the woman in mourning dress.

Except for Seo Li, all of them are experiencing the same scene.

Surrounded by the wildly shrieking ghostly wails of Ghost Kings, they collapsed to the ground, vomiting blood.

[Kiiyaaaaaaa!]

[Kiiiaaaaa!]

[Kuaaaaaaa!]

"What in the world..."

As a descendant of the Heo Clan, Heo Nam-kwon, who naturally has a high affinity for ghost souls, looks up at the sky vomiting a handful of blood.

The ghost souls that usually approached him with friendly gestures are now all radiating with madness.

[It's a great ghost!!!!]

[A great ghost has entered the Grand Tomb Domain!!!]

[Run! We have to run! We'll be eaten!!!]

The woman in white mourning dress is running around crying, trying to escape the Ghost Kings, and the corpse-like man screams and runs around so much that his face regains some color.

The bald tattooed man, clutching his heart, collapses from the ghostly wails, vomiting blood.

Meanwhile Heo Gwak, standing with his hands behind his back outside the shrine, strokes his chin.

Clunk, clunk, clunk...

"Hmm, the spirit tablets are shaking..."

The spirit tablets connected to the Grand Tomb Domain, as it turns out, are physically impossible for Middle Boundary cultivators to enter with their bodies.

Heo Gwak just laughs heartily, assuming the 'elders' inside are just playing with the new disciples.

"Seeing such a strong reaction from the ancestors, it seems this batch of disciples are exceptionally talented. Eub Yeon! I'm going to leave now, but once the Yin Soul disciples have made their choices in the Grand Tomb Domain, guide them to the Method Repository"

[Yes, Grand Elder.]

Heo Gwak chuckles again at the rattling spirit tablets as he leaves the shrine.